Improvement in bedstead-fastenings



S. D. BUTLER.

Bedstead Fastenings.

Patented June 2,1874

No.l51,563.

Mus/wan,

y/TN ESSES.

% ,4 Wf/Z STEPHEN I). BUTLER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

IMPROVEMENT IN BEDSTEAD-FASTENINGS.

Specification forming part of Lettrrs Patent No. 151,563, dated June 2, 1874; application filed April 20, 1874.

To all whom it may concern:

3e it known that I, STEPH N D. BUTLER, of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain Improvements in Fastenings for Bedsteads, of which the following is a specification:

My invention consists in a bed-fastening, composed of a metallic piece, of dovetail form, secured to the rail of the bedstead, acting in connection with an inclined dovetail groove cut in the post, as hereinafter more fully described.

Figure 1 is a front view of one of the posts, a portion being shown in section, for the purpose of more clearly showing the peculiar form of .the socket. Fig. 2 is a transverse or horizontal section of the post and rail, showing the parts united; and Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the metallic portion of the fastenin g, shown detached.

Many forms and styles of fastenin gs for bedsteads have been devised, some with, and others without, a metal socket set into the post; but all are more or less defective, and many of them are rendered expensive, because of the labor and number of operations and ma chines or tools required to apply them.

The object of my present invention is to provide a fastening that shall be secure and strong, and which, at the same time, can be applied with a less number of operations, and, consequently, with less expense than usual. To do this I proceed as follows:

First, I make a metal locking-plate or device, of the form represented in Fig. 3. The head 0 of this device I make of dovetail form in cross-section, as shown in Fig. 2, its inner side a being considerably narrower at bottom than at top, as shown in Fig. 3, thus giving to it a wedge form, vertically, on its inner face. The sides 0 are much wider at bottom than at the top, thus making the head or part 0 inclined 011 its outer face-this outer face, however, being of uniform width from top to bottom, instead of being wedgeshaped, as its corresponding or inner face 0 is. This locking-head O is cast solid, with a circular flange, b, by which it is secured to the rail B in the usual manner, as shown in section in Fig. 2, where it is shown set in a correspondiugly-shaped groove cut in the side of the rail, and held by a piece of wood fastened over it. Instead of the circular flange, any other form may be used, if desired. I then cut in the face of the post A a socket or groove, I, corresponding in form to the head 0, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. This groove I is cut into the post, so that its outer face is in. the vertical plane of the post, while its back or inner face is inclined, the slot growing gradually deeper from top to bottom, as shown in the right hand or sectional part of Fig. 1. \Vhile the back of this groove I, like the outer face of the head 0, is of uniform. width from top to bottom, its outer face, as shown in the front of Fig. l. is wider at top than bottom, corresponding to the inner face 0 of the head (J.

It will be observed that this groove or socket I is cut from the surface at its upper end in a straight line, gradually deepening to its lower end, and that on all its sides it presents an even or unbroken outline or surface. This peculiar form of groove I out by means of a revolving tool, while the post is held and moved on a bed of peculiar construction. These devices, however, ueed not be further described herein, as they will form the subject of a separate application.

The parts being thus constructed, the rail is secured to the post by merely inserting the lower end of the head 0 in the upper end of the groove I, and shoving it down until the end of the rail 13 is drawn tight up against the face of the post A, as shown in Fig. 2.

By making the head 0 dovetailed in crosssection, its sides 0 will have a bearing over their entire surface, and, as they pass diagonally across the grain of the wood, it forms a very secure fastening, much less likely to split out than those which have a flanged or T head. This liability to split is also lessened by the fact of the groove I having straight or unbroken edges, as wherever there is a break in the edges or sides of the cut in the wood, a crack or split is likely to start at that point. This groove, being formed complete at a single cut or operation, renders the fastening eX- ceedingly cheap to construct and, its peculiar form rendering it very strong, it is especially well adapted to that class of bedsteads' in which a small post is used, and in which there is not room to cut a large groove.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim iS 1. The locking head 0, consisting of an elongated metallic block, dovetailed in crosssection, wider at the top than at the bottom on its inner face a, with its outer face inclined vertically with reference to the end of the rail, substantially as described.

2. In combination with the locking-head C, the post A, provided with the slot or recess 1, having unbroken edges substantially as set forth.

STEPHEN D. BUTLER. Witnesses:

J. MCKENNEY, W. O. DODGE. 

